The new Nano is 6.4mm thick, but it's not enough to distract me from the fact my first-gen iPhone runs like a three-legged dog on valium.

His Holiness rattled off a list of announcements to the Apple faithful today, including new iPods, HD television shows (for the US only) and an iTunes update. iPhone owners were relieved to hear that the 2.1 software update is due for release on Friday.

Jobs was typically light on details, confirming only that the new software would fix "stability" issues. That doesn't sound very promising for first-gen iPhone owners who've had their once great phone reduced to something as sluggish as the woeful HTC Touch Diamond.

When I first got the iPhone it never failed to impress people and I could have sold dozens of them if I'd kept a stash in my bag. Running the sluggish 2.0.2 it now makes quite a poor first impression and I always need to apologise for the software. I've only stuck with 2.x because I like the ability to sync my calendar and contacts wirelessly via MobileMe (which luckily hasn't given me any grief).

It would seem that 2.x is designed for the iPhone 3G's faster processor and the first-gen iPhone just isn't up to the task. My understanding is that both phones run the same Samsung S5L8900 processor, but in the iPhone 2G it is throttled to 412 MHz while in the iPhone 3G it runs at 620 MHz. I don't know if the 2.x software unlocks the processor speed on a first-gen iPhone but, judging from the complaints I've seen, I doubt it. It's possible that the first-gen hardware just can't cope with the heat and power implications of boosting the processor speed.

Regardless of the risk, I'm sure there are plenty of first-gen iPhone owners out there who would love to overclock their phone so 2.x runs properly. Technically it wouldn't even be overclocking, just the removal of Apple's underclocking.

If 2.1 doesn't give first-gen iPhones a shot in the arm, you can expect interest to grow in unlocking to processor to unleash the first iPhone's full potential.

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Recent comments

phil

September 10, 2008

01:21 PM

Hey - HTC touch is not a woeful phone it is fact better than the iPhone - so far 2 people I know have handed back there iPhone after establishing they could not get decent reception. So before you bag the competition take a closer look at you dud iPhone.

PS - the HTC Touch pro is the absolute best phone around period.

Nice to see the lone HTC fanboy dropping by for a visit. The lag on the Touch Diamond's touch screen is horrible.
Adam

Moloch

September 10, 2008

03:51 PM

Hmmm A first gen iPhone in Australia? So the problems have nothing to do with jailbreaking or any of the other 'illegal' stuff you did to the handset then?

Adam,
It ran fine on 1.x. Anyway, the problems aren't just with jailbroken phones.

JH

September 10, 2008

05:19 PM

I am an avid Apple lover. Had Mac's for years. I've now got an iMac 24", new iBook, my wife has a Power Book, 4 x iPod's, a new mac mini that runs as a media center etc etc. All of them are brilliant.

I waited for the 3G iPhone & resisted buying a 2G iPhone in San Francisco earlier this year. My iPhone was my most anticipated purchase this year. I LOVE it. BUT...I now get less than 2 hrs out of the battery. I've reloaded all software, charged it religiously etc etc.

ALL my work & private emails are on it, all of my contacts are on it and it is now useless. My professional mobility is now zero.

I sent it back to Vodafone to be told it could take up to 10 days to get back. How do I operate as a business professional without my tools of trade. My contract is $250 a month & I paid my last contract out with Vodafone for over a thousand dollars just to get the iPhone.

So Apple & Vodafone some simple questions:

1. Why can't you replace my phone? - I was told you 99% would but have to wait for 10 days.

2. As a high value customer Vodafone why do you treat me like this? I don't spend $80 a month.

3. Apple - why can't you recognize that between hardware, software, .Mac, music, movies, TV shows, USB devices etc I spend a fortune with you. I'm a brand advocate that is fast turning into a detractor. Why is this happening?

4. You need to realise that the atrocious customer service between Vodafone & Apple is killing your brand equity, consumer trust and it is going to cost you. Why can't you see this?

Fix the iPhone now, look after your customers.

I also expect no response to this. Just like you customer service reps.

Adriano, 20, Melb

September 10, 2008

05:47 PM

Sorry to break them Adam but you could have given us some more info about the new iPods rather than tell us things we already know about the shitty iPhone. Thanks.

James

September 10, 2008

06:31 PM

I have an iPhone 3G (never had a 2G) and it is still extremely slow at times with the 2.0.2 software, especially when loading the contact list, and I often experience freezing and have to reset. So it isn't just the 2G's problem with the software. I really hope the 2.1 update improves the situation!

Oliver

September 10, 2008

08:13 PM

I have an HTC Touch Diamond... it's a great phone except the "screen lag" does significantly mar the user experience (that's the polite description)! Though I'm glad I selected the HTC over the iPhone after reading about the various issues reported since its launch.

So, why is it that every "smart phone" brings with it at least one major flaw that detracts from the functionality. Are we expecting too much? Has the drive for features exceeded the capabilities of the software/hardware... I sometimes wish I still had my old Nokia phone that just made calls, reliably. But I'd miss the GPS, email, MS office apps...

Riker

September 10, 2008

09:30 PM

No lag on my Touch Diamond running the latest stock 1.93 firmware. Have switched off TouchFlo 3D, and am running SPB Mobile Shell. The interface is now as quick if not quicker than the iPhone's.

Russ Parker

September 11, 2008

10:43 AM

It took me over a month, but I finally got my iPhone 3G and it's been worth the wait.
I have not had the issues with MobileMe that so many have encountered (but still received 3 months free access, thanks Apple) and the UI for the iPhone is amazing.
I have also not been disappointed with the software response times. That said, I do turn my iPhone off every couple of days for 30 seconds or so. Also, no issues with battery life, I get about 2 days and am always either on the phone or iPod but I do allow by battery to totally drain at least once a fortnight. Just some tips people may want to try.

Fred

September 11, 2008

11:42 AM

The smoke has now cleared - iPhone 3Gs technical problems were largely due to the service providers. The survey done by Wired indicated that there is a clear link between provider and performance and customer satisfaction. Australia rated as the slowest country - I know because I could only get about 300kbps with Optus when the network was operational (we had 2 3G blackouts in the first month). My experience is that Optus has improved their network here in the Sydney CBD - I can now get 1300kbps.

Apple, however, reacted by releasing 2.0.1 and 2.0.2 which didn't do much for my phone but cleary has affected Adams iPhone2G. I don't know why they didn't wait or at least issue a warning about performance hits on the older hardware. Was it to portray an image of a proactive company trying to please its customers?

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Aussies love their gadgets. Mobiles phones, MP3 players, notebooks, GPS, if you can carry it, we’ll buy it. Gadget guru Adam Turner embraces the way of the road warrior, hitting the open highway in search of all things mobile.